Player News

• Lions' Hendon Hooker: Seemingly wins backup job

  08/27/2024 • By RotoWire

  Hooker looks to have won the No. 2 QB job following Nate Sudfeld's release Tuesday morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The Lions could try to bring Sudfeld back after cutdown day as either a member of the 53-man roster or practice squad, but the willingness to risk losing him hints at Hooker moving up on the depth chart. While Sudfeld worked ahead of the Tennessee product throughout the preseason, Hooker ultimately performed at a higher level, completing 29 of 44 passes (65.9 percent) for 300 yards, one touchdown and one interception, with 19 carries for 138 yards and another score. His impressive rushing stats suggest the 2023 third-round pick would at least have value in two-QB and Superflex leagues if he got a chance to fill in for Jared Goff. Hooker might even be useful in one-QB formats, combining mobility with superb team context under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

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• Lions' Hendon Hooker: Uneven final preseason game

  08/25/2024 • By RotoWire

  Hooker completed 12 of 20 passes for 114 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Saturday's 24-17 preseason win over the Steelers. Hooker drew the start, with neither Jared Goff nor Nate Sudfeld in action. Hooker unsurprisingly struggled in the early series during which the Steelers played some of their starters, but he did rebound to lead a 12-play, 72-yard touchdown drive just before halftime, which concluded with a two-yard touchdown pass. Hooker looks to have the third quarterback position in his grasp heading into the regular season.

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• Lions' Hendon Hooker: Should start Saturday

  08/20/2024 • By RotoWire

  Head coach Dan Campbell stated Tuesday that he'd like Hooker to start Saturday against the Steelers, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports. Hooker is currently in a battle with Nate Sufeld for the backup quarterback job behind Jared Goff. The second-year pro was arguably the better performer in the Lions' win over the Chiefs last Saturday, completing 12 of 15 passes for 150 yards while he also rushed for a touchdown.

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• Lions' Hendon Hooker: Trending toward playing Saturday

  08/14/2024 • By RotoWire

  Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that Hooker (concussion) has "a good chance to play" in Saturday's preseason contest against the Chiefs, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports. Hooker suffered a concussion during Detroit's preseason opener, but he looks to be on track for a return during the team's second exhibition contest. The 2023 third-round pick, who didn't log any game reps as a rookie, completed five of nine pass attempts for 39 yards versus the Giants last week. He also rushed four times for 39 yards but suffered the head injury due to a hit while scrambling. Nate Sudfeld started versus New York and appears to be in the lead for the backup spot behind Jared Goff, but Hooker still has time to impress before Detroit's regular-season opener against the Rams on Sept. 8.

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• Lions' Hendon Hooker: No game reps as rookie

  02/12/2024 • By RotoWire

  Hooker did not appear in a game during the 2023 season. Drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hooker had a slow start to his professional career while rebounding from a torn ACL from November 2022, when he was a Heisman Trophy candidate at Tennessee. While he did not appear in a game as a rookie, Hooker did serve as the emergency No. 3 quarterback for the final three regular-season games and each of Detroit's playoff contests. With Teddy Bridgewater set to retire this offseason, the path is wide open for Hooker to open the 2024 campaign as Detroit's backup quarterback behind Jared Goff.

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